Acura has revealed its latest electric vehicle (EV) concept, the Performance EV, at the 2024 Monterey Car Week in California. This striking SUV concept offers a glimpse into the future of Acura’s EV lineup, with production set to begin in late 2025 at Honda’s Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio. This unveiling marks a significant step for Acura as it gears up for its next major electric vehicle.
Acura’s Bold Design Direction
The Performance EV concept showcases a bold and futuristic design, featuring a sleek fastback crossover silhouette. While the final production model will likely see some of these striking lines toned down, many of the design elements from this concept are expected to carry over into future Acura models. Dave Marek, Acura’s chief creative officer, emphasized that the design themes introduced in the Performance EV concept will influence the brand’s upcoming vehicles.
Advanced EV Technology
The Performance EV concept is built on a dedicated EV platform developed in-house by Honda. This platform is designed to deliver an impressive range of 300 miles or more, as measured by the EPA. Unlike the current Acura ZDX and Honda Prologue, which use General Motors’ Ultium platform, the new platform for the Performance EV concept will feature Honda’s own electric and electronic (E&E) architecture. This includes a proprietary vehicle operating system and in-vehicle software, promising a new generation of user interfaces and digital services.
Production and Future Plans
Production of the Performance EV is slated to begin in late 2025 at Honda’s Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio, which is being transformed into the Honda EV Hub. The batteries for this new EV will also be sourced from the same site, ensuring a streamlined and efficient production process.
The first vehicle to utilize this new platform will be part of Honda’s 0 Series family of EVs, which was announced at the 2024 CES. This U.S.-built model is expected to start sales in 2026, drawing inspiration from the Saloon concept that Honda presented earlier this year. The new platform and technology from the Performance EV concept are also expected to feature in future models from both Honda and Acura, as well as from Afeela, a brand born from a collaboration between Honda and Sony.
The Acura Performance EV concept represents a significant leap forward for the brand, combining cutting-edge design with advanced EV technology. As Acura prepares for the production of this concept in late 2025, it is clear that the automaker is committed to leading the charge in the rapidly evolving electric vehicle market. With its bold design, innovative platform, and a clear production timeline, the Performance EV concept sets the stage for Acura’s electrified future.
